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August 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Pocket Full of Promise
In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan writes of a two pilgrims, Christian and Hope, locked in Doubting Castle that belonged to Giant Despair. Giant Despair advised them to do away with themselves since there was no way out of the dungeon. After a couple of nights in the dungeon and much debate Christian remembers that he has a key that will unlock all the doors of Doubting Castle. The key is called Promise.
From beginning to end the worship service gives us Promises to stuff in our pockets.
The pastor says, “I forgive you all your sins.” In the Collect, “(Jesus) willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption.” In the Lessons, “I am with you to save you and deliver you.” “Jesus began to show…he must go to Jerusalem and suffer…and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Still have some room in your pockets? The Hymn of the Day, LSB 531, “Hail, Thou Galilean King!” “Thou didst suffer to release us; Thou didst free salvation bring; Life is given through Thy name.” In Holy Communion, “Take eat this is My Body.” “Take drink this is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
Finally, one more promise for our pocket, “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.”
Now, those are some mighty promises to haul out of our pocket during our pilgrimage this week.
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Deep Wisdom
What is the world coming to? What is God thinking when He allows history to careen from one senseless conflict after another?
This is the world coming to. This is what God is thinking. Rom. 11:32, “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”
As far as all humankind is concerned, there is rebellion. As far as God is concerned, there is mercy.
In response to God’s mercy, shown on the cross, St. Paul exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgment and how inscrutable his ways!” (v.33)
God takes advice from no one. No one has bought him off with a gift. Who could have fathomed this, that God would use man’s disobedience as a means for affecting His saving will?
Again Paul breaks out into praise, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.” (v.36)
Tomorrow, when we approach the Lord’s Table it is fitting to remember Gerhard Molanus’ words in his hymn Your Table I Approach.
“Search not how this takes place, this wondrous mystery; God can accomplish vastly more than what we think could be.
Oh, may I never fail to thank You day and night for Your true body and true blood, O God, my peace and light.”
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
Friday, August 29, 2008
Martyrdom of John the Baptist
In his translation of Aesop’s fables, Martin Luther wrote, “Truth is the most intolerable thing on earth.”
John the Baptist experienced that truth when Herod arrested him. John had condemned Herod for marrying his brother’s wife. Ultimately, John would lose his head over the matter.
Mark 6:20 contains an insightful comment, “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.”
John had also proclaimed the coming of the Christ. For his part, Herod was caught between his respect for John, and Herodias, who hated John and wanted him dead.
Though attracted to the Word, Herod would not allow it to renew his mind and transform his life. He remained a conformist to the world instead of one who, through faith, lived in the new life that Christ gives.
United in baptism to Jesus’ death we are united with him in his resurrection. That is what happened to John when he was beheaded.
What happened to Herod? Eventually, Emperor Caligula banished Herodias and Herod to Lyon, Gaul (France).
The world is still puzzled by the Truth. However the Truth that is Christ is the only Savior the world has.
Almighty God, You gave Your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ, in both his preaching of repentance and his innocent death. Grant that we, who have died and risen with Christ in Holy Baptism, may daily repent of our sins, patiently suffer for the sake of the truth, and fearlessly bear witness to His victory over death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Greek Goes Long Distance at Fort Wayne
Distance Education is continue to grow, especially in higher education. Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN is offering for the first time in the Fall of 2008 Greek through their Distance Education program. Interesting to note, the course will run through all three quarters. It will be offered at a slower pace than a normal one quarter on campus course.
View: CTS Offers Greek Online (A demo is included.)
Augustine
Augustine (354-430) is one of God’s examples of His great grace for those who struggle in their search for the truth.
Augustine’s life is summed up in his own words, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”
He writes of his struggles to find a spiritual life in his Confessions, “You, O Lord turned me toward myself…for I was afraid lest you hear me too soon, and too soon cure me of my disease of lust which I desired….Thus I was sick and tormented, reproaching myself more bitterly than ever, rolling and writhing in my chains.”
On the day of his conversion while in Milan in 387, he was in a state of great distress, “when suddenly I heard the voice of a (child)…chanting ’Pick it up, pick it up.’” He picked up a copy of Romans and read, “Let us walk properly in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” (13:13-14) “Instantly, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all gloom of doubt vanished.”
On October 31, 1517, an Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, nailed 95 points of debate to the church door of Wittenberg, Germany. Augustine had great influence on Luther. He continues to influence the church to this day.
O Lord, help us so to know You that we may truly love You, and so love You that we may fully serve You, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monica, Mother of Augustine
Monica (Monnica) lived with her husband Patricius in a farming village in North Africa. Patricius worked in the Roman Administration of the village. Monica bore with patience his unfaithfulness and temper tantrums. Neighboring wives were instructed by her Christian self-control and forbearance. Her patience bore fruit when Patricius was baptized shortly before his death in 370.
She also prayed for their gifted son, Augustine spent his early life going from one religion and philosophy to another in search of the truth. In his Confessions, Augustine writes of his mother, “She had mourned me as one dead, but also as one who would be raised to you. She carried me out on the bier of her thoughts, that you might say to the widow’s son, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” Monica followed her son to Rome and then to Milan, Italy
When God brought Augustine to faith in Christ, “she leaped with joy triumphant; and she blessed You, who are ’able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.’”
After his baptism, they were returning to Africa when she fell ill. It was apparent she would not make it back home. Asked if she dreaded being buried so far from her own city. She said, “Nothing is far from God. I do not fear that, at the end of time, he should not know the place whence he is to resurrect me.” She died in 387 at the age of 56.
O Lord, who strengthened Monica in offering her love, prayers and tears for the conversion of her husband and their son. Deepen our devotion, and use us to bring others, even our own family, to acknowledge Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. Amen
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
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